Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Liberty Lake, WA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.3% of gross income.

Liberty Lake rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Liberty Lake median rent
$1,834/mo
Firefighter salary (Washington)
$70,347/yr
Rent as % of income
31.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,862, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,759/mo in rent. Liberty Lake's median rent of $1,834 exceeds that threshold by $75/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 54.2 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a firefighter salary

Firefighter base pay plus typical overtime sits modestly above the US median household income, but local rent levels determine whether that translates into affordability or rent burden. At the national-average firefighter base salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,570 a month in rent. The per-city pages compare local rent against local firefighter-pay estimates so renters can see where rent stays in range.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Washington cities have lower median rent than Liberty Lake, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Bremerton, WA
$1,832/mo (31.3% of income)
Steilacoom, WA
$1,832/mo (31.3% of income)
Burien, WA
$1,832/mo (31.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Liberty Lake

View full rent data for Liberty Lake, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Liberty Lake, WA?

Median rent in Liberty Lake is $1,834 a month. A typical firefighter in Washington earns about $70,347 a year, which makes that rent 31.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a firefighter afford in Liberty Lake?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Washington (~$70,347/yr) supports up to $1,759 a month in rent. Liberty Lake's current median rent is $1,834/mo, which is $75/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Liberty Lake?

At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a firefighter in Washington works roughly 54.2 hours a month to cover Liberty Lake's median rent of $1,834.

Where is rent cheaper than Liberty Lake for a firefighter?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Bremerton ($1,832/mo), Steilacoom ($1,832/mo), Burien ($1,832/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Washington state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Liberty Lake, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.